Chapter 2
***
Two Years Later
August 9, Imperial Year 934
Clank.
“The prisoner 922851 is being released.”
The heavy metal door opened. At the guard’s call, a large man stood up. His tall, broad body made the prison cell feel even smaller.
“……”
The guard wiped sweat from his forehead as the man stepped closer. His threatening appearance made anyone nervous—golden hair that shone like the sun and burning golden eyes. He looked just like a lion, just like his name.
“Hey, what are you waiting for? Unlock these.”
The man held out his cuffed wrists with a cold tone. The guard quickly removed the handcuffs.
Prisoner number 922851.
He was the main suspect in the “Conrat Massacre” that happened 12 years ago, on August 5, Year 922.
He was expelled from his noble family and sentenced to 12 years in prison for killing innocent people in Conrat.
Once a noble son of the powerful Duke of Bassenberg, now he was just a criminal with no family name or home.
Twelve years was hardly enough punishment for the lives he was said to have taken.
“Boss! You’re leaving?”
“Congrats on getting out!”
The other prisoners shouted and cheered when he came out, now wearing regular clothes and carrying a small bag.
“Yeah, take care!”
He waved back with a grin, which made the guard frown.
This was Abyssus, a prison island for the empire’s worst criminals. Even among monsters, this man was treated like a respected leader. That said everything about his dark reputation.
Without saying another word, the guard closed the heavy prison gate behind him.
Bang.
After 12 years, Ryan had walked out of prison.
“Ah… fresh air. Nice.”
He looked out at the lighthouse by the dock and the peaceful sea beyond.
It would’ve been even better if it wasn’t for the face that greeted him.
“Seriously, this would’ve been peaceful—if I didn’t have to see your face first thing. Right, Bill?”
Ryan smirked at the old man waiting for him.
“You’ve aged, Bill. Must’ve been hard wagging your tail for my father all these years, huh?”
“Welcome back, young master. It’s been a long time,” Bill replied politely, handing him some papers.
“You lost the right to use the name ‘Bassenberg’ after the massacre ruined the family’s honor. That’s what the Duke decided.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m leaving now.”
“Still, the Duke was ‘kind’ enough to give you a small piece of land to live on. You should be thankful and live your life quietly.”
“Hah.”
Ryan glanced at the document and snorted.
“What is this? A useless patch of land with nothing on it? Am I supposed to play ‘lord’ there, all by myself?”
“Whether you live there or not is your choice.”
“Would’ve been better if he handed me some of that shiny gold he wears around his neck.”
“Ah, that too.”
Bill motioned, and a soldier stepped aside to reveal someone hiding behind them.
Ryan blinked.
What the—?
It was a young girl with neatly tied pink hair. She had a cute, well-raised look—and something about her golden eyes felt strangely familiar.
“Hello! My name is Bania Bassenberg!”
“…Bassenberg?”
Then came Bill’s shocking announcement.
“She’s your daughter.”
“…What kind of nonsense is this?”
“We also brought gold bars worth 3,000 gold coins for raising her. You’ll get them if you accept her.”
“Wait, wait. Who even is she?”
“She is your daughter.”
“Are you messing with me?!”
Ryan shouted, and Bania flinched in fear.
“You’re saying she’s my daughter? Did the world change while I was locked up? Since when can you have a kid without even touching a girl?”
“There’s no way to know everything you did before prison.”
“I went to prison at twelve!”
“……”
“You hear how crazy you sound? Who’s the mother then? If you’re going to lie, at least bring her too and let us all sit down for a talk.”
“You should know best who the mother is.”
“So you’re saying I made a baby at twelve?”
“It’s not impossible.”
“……”
Ryan stared at Bill. He could tell.
This snake-like man knew. He knew this girl wasn’t his daughter.
But he had a reason to dump her on Ryan anyway.
“She must be your child. She has no powers.”
“Ahh…”
Now Ryan looked at the trembling girl and let out a laugh.
“Now I get it. She’s got eyes like mine—must be another powerless failure my father had. So she’s my… little sister?”
“No. She’s your daughter.”
“Right, right. So to avoid people saying the Duke can’t make kids with powers anymore, you want me to pretend she’s mine and get rid of her.”
“Please watch your words.”
“Hey.”
Ryan leaned in close to Bill and whispered darkly.
“I sat in prison for 12 years, paying the price for real killers. I’d say I’ve paid my debt as a Bassenberg.”
“That’s not true. You were the killer.”
“And now I’m supposed to take this fake daughter and rot away in some tiny estate like a coward? Just because I behaved in prison doesn’t mean I’m some pushover.”
“Well, we already made it official that she’s your daughter. If you refuse to take her…”
Bill’s eyes turned cold.
“I’ll take care of it myself.”
“You son of a…”
The tension between them was thick.
Watching them with wide, anxious eyes, Bania suddenly shouted.
“Dad!”
“Are you crazy? I’m not your dad.”
Ryan turned back with an annoyed face.
“I’ll introduce myself again!”
Bania pulled away from the soldier holding her and ran to Ryan.
A powerless failure? No.
She knew the truth.
Ryan had a terrifying power hidden deep inside.
And Bania—who had come back in time—knew that secret.
She was scared, but she couldn’t just stand there doing nothing.
She had been preparing for this for two years.
And step one was… to stay by Ryan’s side.
“My name is Bania! I’m twelve years old!”
“Didn’t ask.”
“The Duke gave me three gold bars! If you take me with you, they’re all yours!”
“Don’t need ’em.”
Ryan didn’t care.
Bania squeezed her sweaty hands into fists.
Stay calm, Bania. Stay calm.
If she couldn’t follow Ryan, she’d have to switch to Plan B. And that would make everything harder.
“Where are you going to live?”
She changed tactics and looked like she might cry.
“You’ll need to clean and do laundry and cook… I can do all of that….”
“Oh, really?”
This time, Ryan looked at her with interest.
“I’ll be good… please take me with you… I was kicked out… I have nowhere to go…”
“Come here.”
Ryan gently reached for her hand—and for a moment, Bania had hope.
But…
“Do you even eat properly? Look how easy it was for a guard to hold you back. You’re pitiful.”
He handed her back to the soldier.
“No, wait! Take me with you! Please take me!”
Ryan turned and walked away, not even looking back.
Bania screamed after him.
“If you don’t take me, I’ll die! Daaaad! Please take me with youuuuu!”
